Flat cable connector

ABSTRACT

A flat cable connector including a plug and a receptacle each having two parallel portions over which flat cables are wrapped. A slotted frame receives the parallel portions of the receptacle to retain the cable therein. The parallel portions of the plug are forced between the parallel portions of the receptacle extending beyond the frame so that the bared tracks of the flat cables on the two connector members frictionally engage each other. Hooked arms on the plug latch the plug to the receptacle. The plug may also carry spring members on spring contacts rather than a flat cable. Other forms of flat cable connectors are also disclosed.

United States Patent .1191

Donnelly et al.

FLAT CABLE CONNECTOR Inventors: Robert William Donnelly; Anthony JohnDamoisiaux, both of Basingstoke; Raymond George Evans, Kingsclere nearNewbury, all of England ITT Industries, Inc., New York, N.Y.

Filed: Dec. 3, 1973 Appl. No.: 421,256

Assignee:

U.S. Cl. 339/176 MF; 339/17 F; 339/91 R Int. Cl. H01R 13/54; HOSK 1/02Field of Search 339/17, 19, 21, 59, 60, 339/61, 75, 91,103,107,l76, 192,97, 99,174

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,365,694 1/19'68 Parker 339/17 F3,638,164 1/1972 Glance et al. 3,753,207 8/1973 Maheux et a1 339/17 FPrimary Examiner Roy D. Frazier Assistant Examiner-Terrell F. LewisAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Thomas L. Peterson [57] ABSTRACT A flat cableconnector including a plug and a receptacle each having two parallelportions over which flat cables are wrapped. A slotted frame receivesthe parallel portions of the receptacle to retain the cable therein. Theparallel portions of the plug are forced between the parallel portionsof the receptacle extending beyond the frame so that the bared tracks ofthe flat cables on the two connector members frictionally engage eachother. Hooked arms on the plug latch the plug to the receptacle. Theplug may also carry spring members on spring contacts rather than a flatcable. Other forms of flat cable connectors are also disclosed.

5 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTED JUL 2 9 I975 SHEET SHEET PATENTEI]JUL 2 9 I975 PATENTED JUL 2 91975 SHEET PATENTEDJULZQIHYS 3, 897, 130

SHEET PATENTED JUL29 197s SHEET FLAT CABLE CONNECTOR BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates generally to electrical connectors and,more particularly, to connectors for use in automobile wiring systems,especially where flat cable wiring is employed.

In the past it has been difficult to make electrical connections to flatcable because of its characteristic shape. Further, prior art connectorsfor flat cable have been complicated and expensive. It is therefore thepurpose of the present invention to provide an improved connector forflat cable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the principal aspect of thepresent invention, there is provided a flat cable connector including aplug and a receptacle each having two parallel portions over which flatcables are wrapped. A slotted frame receives the parallel portions ofthe receptable to retain the cable therein. The parallel portions of theplug are forced between the parallel portions of the receptacleextending beyond the frame so that the bared tracks of the cables on thetwo connector members frictionally engage each other. Hooked arms on theplug latch the plug to the receptacle. The plug may also carry springmembers on spring contacts rather than a flat cable. Other forms of flatcable connectors are also disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1 and 2 show in perspective thereceptacle and plug, respectively, of a connector for flat cable;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show in perspective another receptacle-plug combinationfor flat cable;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a plug connector member for connectinground wiring to flat cable, usable with the receptacles of FIG. 1 orFIG. 3;

FIGS. 6 and 7 show in perspective the parts of another receptacleelement usable with the plug elements of FIGS. 2, 4 or 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a receptacle on a panel, usable with theplug elements of FIGS. 2, 4 or 5;

FIGS. 9 and 10 show two views in perspective, one exploded and oneassembled, of a flat cable adaptor;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a fiat cable-round cableadaptor;

FIG. 12 is an exploded, perspective view of another flat cable adaptor;

FIG. 13 shows in perspective a fuse-box employing other forms ofadaptors;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of one of the adaptors shown inFIG. 13; and

FIG. 15 is a vertical sectional view of one of the adaptors shown inFIG. 13.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawingsin detail, FIGS. land 2 show one embodiment of the connector of theinven- At the sides of the plug are two resilient, hooked arms 32 and34.

The receptacle 36 illustrated in FIG. 1 also has two parallel portions38 and 40 integral with a body portion 41 and about which flat cables 42and 44, respectively, are wrapped, as shown. These parallel portions fitthrough parallel rectangular slots 46 and 48 in a separate frame 49. Theframe is held in place by latches or tines 50 formed on the oppositesides of each of the portions 38 and 40. At the sides of the receptaclebody 41 are two lugs 52 and 54. The hooked arms 32 and 34 fit into theselugs.

In use the two connector members 18 and 36 are mated, in which case theparallel portions 22 of the plug are forced between the portions 38 and40 of the receptacle so that the flat cables, which have theirconductors bared in these portions, engage. When this mating occursthe'hooked arms 32 and 34 are fitted into the lugs 52 and 54,respectively, to hold the members together. Note that the cables on theplug 18 can all be one single fiat cable wrapped around its two portions22, or can be two portions of flat cable, one on each portion 22.Similarly, the cable on the receptacle 36 can be a single cable or twoseparate portions, one on each of the portions 38 and 40. conductivetracks on strips of the cables are based on the co-operating surfaces.

Referring now to the connector illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, thereceptacle 36' illustrated in FIG. 3 is identical to the receptacle 36in FIG. 1 but is shown disassembled and with no cable. The member inFIG. 3 is fitted between the two parallel portions of the mating plugmember 18' in FIG. 4 (like the member 26 in FIG. 2).

The receptacle 36' of FIG. 3 is used in a similar fashion to that ofFIG. 1. In use, a flat cable is wrapped round the portions 38" and 40'with its end adjacent the face of the frame 49'. The conductive tracksof the cable are based on the inner-facing surfaces of the cables. Theframe 49' is fitted over the portions 38' and 40 and moved against thebody 41, thus retaining the cables in place.

The mating plug member 18' of FIG. 4 is similar to the plug member 18 ofFIG. 2, except that it has a metal clip 62 of springy material. The clipis formed with upper and lower rowsof resilient fingers 64 (only one rowbeing visible in FIG. 4) located in recesses 65 so as to engage the backof a cable track when the connector is assembled. The fingers 64 provideadditional contact pressure for the tracks, in case this is needed. Suchextra contact pressure could be useful where vibration is a seriousproblem or where the nature of the insulating material makes itnecessary to enhance the Contact pressure.

The spring clip 62 could also be used as a shorting strip or a multipleground connection, in which case some of the conductive tracks of thecable are based on the inner faces as well as on the outer faces.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which illustrates a plug member 18'',similar to plug members 18 and 18', but used for connecting round wiresto flat cable. The member 18" has a box-like body 20 with hooked arms32" and 34" for co-operating with a receptacle such as that of FIG. 1 or3. The body portion 20" carries spaced metallic spring contacts 66similar to the trackengaging fingers 64 of the clip 62 (FIG. 4). Each ofthese contacts is formed with an outwardly bowed contacting portion 66aand U-shaped terminal end 67 to each of which a round wire 68 can besecured, as by crimping or soldering. The contacts are disposed on theupper and lower sides of a bar 69 extending between side-walls 70 on thering 20".

When the plug member 18" is plugged into a receptacle such as thosealready described, each of the contact portions 66a of the contactsengages one of the tracks on a flat cable mounted onto the receptacle.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 6 and 7 which show the component parts ofanother flat cable receptacle connector in accordance with theinvention.

This receptacle includes a flat plate 72 with conductive tracks on it,with a slot 74 cut in it defining two leaf portions 76 and 78 bentslightly as shown. The material used for the plate is such that theseleaf portions have a degree of resilience. There is also a frame 80 ofinsulating material with pins 82 at each corner for fitting into holes84 in the plate 72.

In use a plug, such as the ones described hereinbefore, is pushed intothe slot 74, bending the leaf portions 76 and 78 so that theirresilience gives good -contact with tracks (or contacts) in the plug.The

hooked arms of the plug pass through slots 86 in plate 72 and alignedslots 88 in frame 80, and latch behind the frame of FIG. 6 to hold thevarious elements together.

FIG. 8 shows a receptacle connector member 90 fitted to an instrumentpanel 92 with printed wiring 94 connected (by soldering or the like) toconductive surfaces or tracks 96 inside the receptacle. This receptaclecan receive any of the plug members described herein, and although notshown may have lugs to receive the hooked arms of the plugs.

FIGS. 9 and illustrate a flat cable adaptor 100 for attaching a sectionof flat cable 102 to a snap-on tab 104. The adaptor consists of adouble-roll portion 106 of metal with an outer sheath 108 of aninsulating material. In use the flat cable 104 and the tab 102 areforced into the adaptor together, the cable having had the conductivesurface to be connected bared. The tab and flat cable are held in placeby resilience of the rolled-over edges of the metal portion 106.

FIG. 11 shows a flat cable round cable adaptor generally designated 110.Here the flat cable 112 is retained in the same manner as in FIG. 12below, the retention-spring therefor (not shown) being at the righthandend of the box-like member 114. There is also a retention pin in thisdevice, just as in FIG. 12, below. The box 114 has a further retentionspring 116 for holding an equipment tab 118 in place, and on its sidethere is a hingedly-mounted sleeve 120 of an insulating material. Thissleeve is used to hold a tab crimp bucket when such is needed.

FIG. 12 shows a flat cable component adaptor generally designated 122.This adaptor has a retention spring 124, a bent-over portion 126 and aledge portion 128 on a box-like member 130. A flat cable 132, me formedas shown to the right, is held in place by the portion 126, and issecured to the ledge portion 128 by a split pin 134 as can be seen inFIG. 12. Also shown is an instrument tab 136 which is inserted into theadaptor below the spring 124.

FIGS. 13-15 show a typical multi-component fusebox 140, with three flatcables 142 connected to it by adaptors 144, 146 and 148, and a furtheradaptor 150 about to be mated to a row of tabs 151 in the fuse box.

Note that each adaptor has one edge curved to accommodate a centralshaft (not shown) entering the hole 152.

As seen in FIG. 14, each adaptor has a rectangular section channel 154with a W-shaped spring 156 in it. Each flat cable 142 is pinned by apair of pins 158 to one face of its adaptor the inner face as installedto the fuse box. As seen in FIG. 15, the ends of the cable tracks arebent over into the channels 154, which can each receive a tab 151 fromthe equipment unit, in this case the fuse box 140. As in the case of theother adaptors described above, the springs 156 provide retention andcontact pressure.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical plug connector member for a flat strip cable havingconductive tracks comprising: a generally rectangular one-piece body ofan electrically insulating material having a front face and a rear facewith two elongated slots extending from said front face to said rearface, each slot being parallel to a first pair of parallel sides of thebody, two parallel finger-like portions each having its base betweensaid slots and each projecting forwardly from said front face of saidbody, said finger-like portions being parallel to said two slots, andtwo hooked arms one on each of the other two sides of said body andextending forwardly from said front face of said body, wherein in useflat cable is threaded through each of said slots and is wrapped aroundeach of said finger-like portions with the tracks of the cable bared atleast on the outside of each said finer-like portion, a retainer beingplaced between said finger-like portions to urge the cable against theinner faces of the finger-like portions, the resilience of thefinger-like portions holding the cable in place, and wherein in use thefinger-like portions are adapted to be forced between two generallyparallel portions of a receptacle connector member with said hooked armsengaged in lugs on the receptacle.

2. A plug connector member as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of saidfinger-like portions has parallel recesses formed on its outer surfaceparallel to said arms, a spring member in each said recess, and eachsaid spring member is a metal strip bowed outwardly so that when a flatcable is in place pressure is exerted on its tracks.

3. An electrical receptacle connector member for a flat strip cablehaving conductive tracks comprising: a first generally rectangularone-piece body of an electrically insulating material having a frontface and a rear face with two elongated slots extending from said frontface to said rear face, each slot being parallel to a first pair ofparallel sides of said body, two parallel fingerlike portions eachhaving its base between said slots and each projecting forwardly fromsaid front face of said body, said finger-like portions being parallelto said two slots, outwardly-projecting tines on the narrow sides ofsaid finger-like portions, a generally rectangular frame formed with twoparallel slots each of which slidably receives one of said finger-likeportions when a flat cable is mounted on it, and two lugs one on each ofthe other two sides of said body, wherein in use flat cable is threadedthrough said slots on said body and wrapped around each said finger-likeportions, the ends of the flat cable then being adjacent to said frontface of said body between said finger-like portions, the tracks on thecables being bared at least on the portions thereof on the inner facesof said finger-like portions,

An electrical connector for flat cable having conductive trackscomprising:

plug and receptacle connector members;

said plug connector member comprising a generally rectangular one-piecebody of an electrically insulating material having a front face and arear face with two elongated slots extending from said front face tosaid rear face, each slot being parallel to a first pair of parallelsides of the body, two parallel finger-like portions each having itsbase between said slots and each projecting forwardly from said frontface of said body toward said receptacle connector member, saidfinger-like portions being parallel to said two slots, and two hookedarms one on each of the other two sides of said body and extendingforwardly from said front face of said body toward said receptacleconnector member, wherein in use flat cable is threaded through each ofsaid slots and is wrapped around each of said finger-like portions withthe tracks of the cable bared at least on the outside of each saidfinger-like portion, a retainer being placed between said finger-likeportions to urge the cable against the inner faces of the finger-likeportions, the resilience of the finger-like portions holding the cablein place;

said receptacle connector member comprising a generally rectangularone-piece body of an electrically insulating material having a frontface and a rear face with two elongated slots extending from said frontface to said rear face, each slot being parallel to a first pair ofparallel sides of said body, two parallel finger-like portions eachhaving its base between said slots and each projecting forwardly fromsaid front face of said body toward said plug connector member, saidfinger-like portions being parallel to said two slots and being spacedapart slightly greater than the distance between the opposite facingsurfaces of said plug connector member finger-like portions,outwardly-projecting tines on the narrow sides of said finger-likeportions, a generally rectangular frame formed with two parallel slotseach of which slidably receives one of said finger-like portions when aflat cable is mounted on it, and two lugs one on each of the other twosides of said body, wherein in use flat cable is threaded through saidslots on said body and wrapped around each said finger-like portions,the ends of the flat cable then being adjacent to said front face ofsaid body between said finger-like portions, the tracks on the cablesbeing bared at least on the portions thereof on the inner faces of saidfinger-like portions, said frame being fitted over said two finger-likeportions and urged against said body to hold said flat cables in place,said frame being held in place by said tines; and

d. said finger-like portions of said plug connector member are forcedbetween said finger-like portions of said receptacle connector memberwith said hooked arms engaged in said lugs on said receptacle connectormember.

5. A plug connector member as set forth in claim 2 wherein:

said recesses extend to said rear face of said body;

and

said spring members are integrally joined to a plate lying adjacent tosaid rear face of said body.

1. An electrical plug connector member for a flat strip cable havingconductive tracks comprising: a generally rectangular one-piece body ofan electrically insulating material having a front face and a rear facewith two elongated slots extending from said front face to said rearface, each slot being parallel to a first pair of parallel sides of thebody, two parallel finger-like portions each having its base betweensaid slots and each projecting forwardly from said front face of saidbody, said finger-like portions being parallel to said two slots, andtwo hooked arms one on each of the other two sides of said body andextending forwardly from said front face of said body, wherein in useflat cable is threaded through each of said slots and is wrapped aroundeach of said finger-like portions with the tracks of the cable bared atleast on the outside of each said finer-like portion, a retainer beingplaced between said finger-like portions to urge the cable against theinner faces of the finger-like portions, the resilience of thefinger-like portions holding the cable in place, and wherein in use thefinger-like portions are adapted to be forced between two generallyparallel portions of a receptacle connector member with said hooked armsengaged in lugs on the receptacle.
 2. A plug connector member as setforth in claim 1, wherein each of said finger-like portions has parallelrecesses formed on its outer surface parallel to said arms, a springmember in each said recess, and each said spring member is a metal stripbowed outwardly so that when a flat cable is in place pressure isexerted on its tracks.
 3. An electrical receptacle connector member fora flat strip cable having conductive tracks comprising: a firstgenerally rectangular one-piece body of an electrically insulatingmaterial having a front face and a rear face with two elongated slotsextending from said front face to said rear face, each slot beingparallel to a first pair of parallel sides of said body, two parallelfinger-like portions each having its base between said slots and eachprojecting forwardly from said front face of said body, said finger-likeportions being parallel to said two slots, outwardly-projecting tines onthe narrow sides of said finger-like portions, a generally rectangularframe formed with two parallel slots each of which slidably receives oneof said finger-like portions when a flat cable is mounted on it, and twolugs one on each of the other two sides of said body, wherein in useflat cable is threaded through said slots on said body and wrappedaround each said finger-like portions, the ends of the flat cable thenbeing adjacent to said front face of said body between said finger-likeportions, the tracks on the cables being bared at least on the portionsthereof on the inner faces of said finger-like portions, said framebeing fitted over said two finger-like portions and urged against saidbody to hold said flat cables in place, said frame being held in placeby said tines, and wherein when in use the conductor-bearing portions ofa plug connector member are urged between said finger-like portions andtwo hooked portions on the plug connector member are received in saidlugs.
 4. An electrical connector for flat cable having conductive trackscomprising: a. plug and receptacle connector members; b. said plugconnector member comprising a generally rectangular one-piece body of anelectrically insulating material having a front face and a rear facewith two elongated slots extending from said front face to said rearface, each slot being parallel to a first pair of parallel sides of thebody, two parallel finger-like portions each having its base betweensaid slots and each projecting forwardly from said front face of saidbody toward said receptacle connector member, said fingerlike portionsbeing parallel to said two slots, and two hooked arms one on each of theother two sides of said body and extending forwardly from said frontface of said body toward said receptacle connector member, wherein inuse flat cable is threaded through each of said slots and is wrappedaround each of said finger-like portions with the tracks of the cablebared at least on the outside of each said finger-like portion, aretainer being placed between said finger-like portions to urge thecable against the inner faces of the finger-like portions, theresilience of the finger-like portions holding the cable in place; c.said receptacle connector member comprising a generally rectangularone-piece body of an electrically insulating material having a frontface and a rear face with two elongated slots extending from said frontface to said rear face, each slot being parallel to a first pair ofparallel sides of said body, two parallel finger-like portions eachhaving its base between said slots and each projecting forwardly fromsaid front face of said body toward said plug connector member, saidfinger-like portions being parallel to said two slots and being spacedapart slightly greater than the distance between the opposite facingsurfaces of said plug connector member fingerlike portions,outwardly-projecting tines on the narrow sides of said finger-likeportions, a generally rectangular frame formed with two parallel slotseach of which slidably receives one of said finger-like portions when aflat cable is mounted on it, and two lugs one on each of the other twosides of said body, wherein in use flat cable is threaded through saidslots on said body and wrapped around each said finger-like portions,the ends of the flat cable then being adjacent to said front face ofsaid body between said finger-like portions, the tracks on the cablesbeing bared at least on the portions thereof on the inner faces of saidfinger-like portions, said frame being fitted over said two finger-likeportions and urged against said body to hold said flat cables in place,said frame being held in place by said tines; and d. said finger-likeportions of said plug connector member are forced between saidfinger-like portions of said receptacle connector member with saidhooked arms engaged in said lugs on said receptacle connector member. 5.A plug connector member as set forth in claim 2 wherein: said recessesextend to said rear face of said body; and said spring members areintegrally joined to a plate lying adjacent to said rear face of saidbody.